Plans for resort-style senior residential community move forward in New Lenox

New Lenox trustees Monday night approved several measures for the planned 612-home resort-style senior community near Silver Cross Hospital.

Trustees present unanimously approved the 223-acre Teerling Nursery property, at Chicago Bloomington Trail and Cedar Road north of Route 6, to be annexed.

The board also approved a special use request from K Hovnanian Homes for preliminary plans for the Four Seasons residential community of ranch homes. The homes would be for people ages 55 and older.

An age restriction contract will ensure that at least 80% of the homes in the development will by occupied by at least one resident who is 55 or older and prohibit residency of anyone younger than 22. The community will be maintenance-free and include amenities such as a clubhouse, classes, a pool and walking trails.

Construction is expected to start on Phase 1, including the 15,000-square-foot clubhouse, this year with the first homes ready by next summer, Assistant Village Administrator Robin Ellis said.

Mark Mastrorocco, director of land acquisition for Hovnanian, did make clear to the board that the plans for the community are contingent upon finalizing an amended purchase agreement with the property owner, John Teerling.

Mayor Tim Baldermann thanked village staff for working with the developer to bring the plans for the large development with “a lot of moving parts” to a point that they could be approved by the village. The community is expected to bring in revenue for local taxing bodies without much stress on the school system, as well as needed commercial growth to that area.

Residents of 16 homes in the unincorporated Summerfield Estates subdivision on Summerfield Road had raised concerns about current drainage issues emanating from the Teerling farm, which they feared may be exacerbated. They also expressed concerns about lighting.

Ellis said Monday night that negotiations had led to the developers having “beefed up” landscaping along the border with the Summerfield homes, as well as along Cedar Road. Village Administrator Kurt Carroll said after the meeting that the long-term plans for the development “actually enhance drainage in the area.”

One of the Summerfield residents, Adam Glens, said residents did not object to the development moving forward but want to be included in future decisions.